I took a trip over to Kissimmee Prairie on Wednesday morning, arriving there about 8 am, a 1-hour and 45-min ride from the Port Charlotte area.  I met up with two friends from the central Florida area.  We had heard there were quite a few butterflies and wild flowers in the Park, which we found to be true.  In fact, 79 different species have been logged in the Park.  A butterfly checklist is available at the Park Office.

We found quite a bit of standing water in places, so we spent most of our time in the two camping areas, which, except for one family, were deserted.  We spent our time photographing butterflies, other insect species, and wild flowers.  We even saw some Wild Turkeys and Caracara.  Considering it was July, we were quite comfortable.  The campgrounds had trees and a nice breeze was blowing.  However, we did call it quits about noon, before it really became hot.

We saw about two dozen different species of butterflies and many wildflowers, most of which we couldn’t identify.  Butterfly species seen included Gray Hairstreak, Phaon Crescent, Viceroy, Hackberry Emperor, Carolina Satyr, Fiery Skipper, Queen, and Zebra Swallowtail.  Some other unusual species seen included a Horned Worm, Long-headed Toothpick Grasshopper, and a Little Grass Frog (about 0.5-inch in length).

I went over to the Webb for a couple of hours this morning.  Found the fields full of water and the roads slightly muddy.  As I paid the $3 entrance fee, a Limpkin greeted me and permited me to take some nice pictures.  Also saw several Moorhens and a Green Heron in this area.  I followed Tucker’s Grade to Seaboard Grade.  Although Seaboard Grade looked okay, I decided not to travel it and turned around and went back the way I came.  I did have a nice view of an Eastern Kingbird; also saw a Green Heron, several Bobwhite, Meadowlarks, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker along Tucker’s Grade.

I then followed the asphalt road alongside Webb Lake.  Near the end it was flooded, so I turned around and decided to call it quits.  Did see two Anhingas, several Red-winged Blackbirds, and a Little Blue Heron.  It was strange not to see any Egrets.  I didn’t see many wild flowers, so very few butterflies, although there was an abundance of dragonflies.